Wasserman Schultz Chosen to Serve on Powerful House Committee on Appropriations – Committee sets the specific expenditures of funds by the government of the United States

(Washington, DC)  —  Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz has been chosen to serve on the House Committee on Appropriations. The Committee has what is commonly described as “the power of the purse” because it, along with its Senate counterpart, sets the specific expenditures of funds by the government of the United States.   “It is a great honor to have been chosen to serve on such an important committee,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “I am looking forward to the opportunities my seat on the Committee on Appropriations will afford me to work on behalf of my constituents in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. I also look forward to working closely with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Committee Chairman David Obey as we pursue earmark reform and bring broader transparency to the appropriations process.”   The selection of Rep. Wasserman Schultz, who will only begin her second term in Congress next year, is recognition by her peers of the hard work and dedication she has shown in her first two years in Congress.

“Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz has already proven herself to be a leader in the Democratic Caucus, highly-respected by all our colleagues for her keen intellect and political savvy,” said incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “She will continue to serve the best interests of her constituents through the powerful House Appropriations Committee.”

The U.S. Constitution provides the basis for the Appropriations Committee in Article one, Section nine, Clause seven which states that: No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law.   The decision by the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which decides committee assignments, must still be ratified by the full House Democratic Caucus.